1992 Indianapolis 500 (Al Unser Jr. edges Scott Goodyear)

Lore & Background

The race is famous for the fierce battle in the closing laps, as race winner Al Unser Jr. held off second place Scott Goodyear for the victory by 0.043 seconds, the second-closest finish in Indy history. Unser Jr. became the first second-generation driver to win the Indy 500, following in the footsteps of his father Al Unser Sr. He also became the third member of the famous Unser family to win the race. A race-record ten former winners were in the starting lineup, and with Unser a first time winner, by day's end the field totaled eleven. Lyn St. James became the second female driver to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 (after Janet Guthrie). She finished 11th, the only rookie running at the finish, and was voted Rookie of the Year.

In Their Own Story

The roar of the crowd was a distant hum as Al Unser Jr. gripped the wheel, his eyes fixed on the white line. Scott Goodyear's car was a mirror in his mirrors, closing, always closing—a red-and-white specter that refused to fade. Into Turn 1, Unser Jr. held his line, but Goodyear was there, a flash of red and white, his nose edging inside like a knife. The backstretch became a blur of speed and strategy, each driver daring the other to blink, their engines howling in a duet of desperation. As they hurtled toward the final turn, Unser Jr. knew he had to be perfect—one mistake and the dream would vanish. He crossed the line, the checkered flag a blur, and the world went silent for a heartbeat before the roar returned. He had won by a nose, by a whisper, by the thinnest margin in history—a margin that felt like an eternity.

Reader's Guide

Cold temperatures and high winds turned the race into a crash-filled, marathon day. The tone was set early when pole position winner Roberto Guerrero spun out and crashed on the parade lap. The race was dominated by Michael Andretti in the debut of the Ford-Cosworth XB engine. Andretti grabbed the lead at the start from 6th starting position. He led 160 of the first 189 laps and was 30 seconds ahead when his fuel pump failed with eleven laps to go. Andretti's car coasted to a stop and he placed 13th. Thirteen cars were eliminated in crashes during the race. Following the race, sweeping safety changes came about at the track. The 1992 race signaled the final race for several Indy legends, including A. J. Foyt, Rick Mears, Tom Sneva, and Gordon Johncock.

Did You Know?

• Al Unser Jr. became the first second-generation driver to win the Indy 500, following his father Al Unser Sr.
• Lyn St. James became the second female driver to qualify for the Indianapolis 500, after Janet Guthrie.
• Michael Andretti led 160 of the first 189 laps before his fuel pump failed with eleven laps to go.
• Thirteen cars were eliminated in crashes during the race.
• The race was the final Indy 500 for A. J. Foyt, Rick Mears, Tom Sneva, and Gordon Johncock.